Comex

You certainly have picked a great ship and itinerary for a first time cruise. I don't think there's a bad choice for your time in Rovinj, even if you decided to spend the day in port touring the city.  For me it would be a tossup between Motovun and Porec with Pula close behind. It's too bad there's not time for all three. Istria is a beautiful part of Croatia. 

I heard a new one last night in the MDR for evening chic. The ladies were dressed appropriately but the man was in shorts, sneakers and faded polo with baseball cap and arguing that he was dressed “business casual”.  My wife (who is always smarter then me) wouldn’t let me say “maybe for a car wash” 😁.  He didn’t get in.

Plus, if there’s time, one should check out Padua, just up the road toward Venice. Definitely worth a couple days. 

Test can be preordered using their gift order form or by calling Windstar directly.  Then it's a matter of scheduling the test when onboard. Very convenient.  

https://windstarcruises-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/plan_your_voyage/2019_gift_order_form.pdf

They're traditional balconies.  Part isn't covered, though there's plenty of shaded area.  We were in 8314 & 8323 and had the steward unlock the partition between our balconies.  Offered us plenty of space to enjoy. You'll like it.

Petoona, 

Thanks for the update!  We're on the Aug1, '21,  2X Tahiti and can relax somewhat.  Now if the excursion issues can be resolved we can deal with all the other stuff. This is all great news!

5 hours ago, minidonuts85 said:

 

Hi, We we’re on the San Diego to PV leg of that trip! Were you there too?

Got the roll call started!


Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

10-4. That was a great itinerary. I remember your name from the earlier roll calls.  We went all the way to Costa Rica. 

Hello Minidonuts85,

That sounds like a plan.  I've jotted down some ideas as well and would like to compare notes. Were you by any chance on the Star Legend, San Diego to Costa Rica cruise last October? 

20 hours ago, susiesan said:

Is anyone else going to Tahiti in 2021 waiting to book excursions or activities? I am, I want to see what happens in July with the reopening of FP and then what happens when Windstar resumes sailing in September. I don't want to spend a lot of time emailing and setting up private excursions with the local vendors if it turns out the cruise is canceled and the country shuts down again.

 

I think I will wait to spend a lot of time and get some feedback from the earliest wave of visitors.

We're on the Aug 1, 2021 Twice the Tahiti and taking somewhat the same approach. We contacted Mermaid Private Boat Tours (Moorea) and they were glad to pencil us in for a full day private tour.  Plan is to book WS tours first since cancellations will be easy and then wait until later for private excursions. This is our first Tahiti trip and the CC forums have been very helpful. 

I get it when cruise lines have policies in place to control abuses. I was merely saying that if I replaced the water myself (from my PDP "free" water obtained at the lounge/bar) not by using room service or asking the cabin steward to do so, there shouldn't be an extra charge. The amount of refreshment in our cabin remained the same as it was stocked on day one.  

Anyway, guest services seemed to agree with me. 

Milkshakes can be had at Swirls next to the Lotus Pool, deck 14.

A word of caution about the Premium Drink Package (we were on the Island Princess). The PDP includes free water bottles from the bars/lounges but not the water bottles in your room (Princess adds a charge to those). There's an attached note explaining the policy and if the room steward sees one opened you will be charged - even if you replace it later.  Makes no sense. 

When we sailed on Star Clipper they used the San Basilio Pier. It's just as you described, a short distance over an easily navigated bridge from the vaporeto stop. It won't be a problem. If you arrive early, a nice place for a meal or glass of wine is the Trattoria San Basilio, just before you go over the bridge. You'll be able to see your boat from the Trattoria. Have a great time. The sail away along the canal is something one will never forget!

Perfect timing for the pictures! My wife and I are on the Dec 23 sailing so we're really enjoying the photos. Thanks for taking the time to post!

worldofislands,

Yes, the BVI is the Treasure Island cruise.

We were on the Star Clipper Leeward Island cruise in January this year and did experience some wind and seas on a few days. We had to raise the bed railing a few nights. Not really a problem for us. Other days were perfect. One never knows. We stayed on the French side (Grand Case) of St. Martin for a week prior to setting sail.

Our experience sailing the British Virgins was on a crewed catamaran and we loved every minute of it. The Grenadines was on the Windjammer Mandalay. We haven't been on the Royal Clipper but plan on trying the Grenadine itinerary soon.

We were on a Windsurf cruise last November and had a great time. My wife actually prefers that ship due to the dinning options and public spaces. The staterooms are a little larger also. Windsurf also allows you to bring wine aboard. You really can't go wrong with either choice. Both trips will offer beautiful beaches and snorkeling, great food and exceptional service.

I second the Grenadines. They're beautiful islands and spending a few days in Barbados is another plus. If that doesn't work the other choice would be to cruise the British Virgin Islands. You'll have a great time.